Report: FA accused of double standards over club owner betting allegations
English football’s governing body has been accused of allowing Brentford owner Matthew Benham to have a secret betting agreement
The Football Association (FA) has been accused of allowing a “double standard” as it has reportedly allowed Brentford owner Matthew Benham to bet in his own name via a secretive agreement.
In a report by The Guardian, an investigation revealed that Benham has an agreement with the governing body that allows him to be involved in betting.
The FA rules around betting state that anyone involved in football is prohibited from betting on any match, anywhere in the world, and are designed to protect the integrity of the game.
Benham, who is the founder and owner of SmartOdds, which is a statistical research firm for professional gamblers, has reportedly been found to have placed bets via UK-based gambling syndicate MSPP Admin.
According to The Guardian, Benham is the majority funder and beneficiary of MSPP Admin and the firm has placed bets on behalf of Benham and other unnamed individuals.
Current Brentford chair Clifford Crown has also been associated with MSPP Admin, previously listed as both a director and secretary of the firm but whose director role was terminated on 17 August 2023, according to Companies House.
The FA is understood to have looked into whether Benham had placed bets in his name within the UK, but there is no suggestion MSPP Admin had placed bets on Brentford, the Premier League or any domestic competitions the West London club is involved in.
Speaking to The Guardian, a spokesperson for Benham said: “Matthew Benham, alongside other club owners who have a financial interest in a betting company, is subject to an FA policy which, if abided by, ensures that their betting companies may continue to bet on football.
“In particular, those the policy applies to must not, among other things, have any direct involvement in setting odds or placing bets on football or passing on any inside information. This policy has been in place for almost a decade.
“Matthew fully complies with this FA policy. He abides by all its conditions and restrictions and is also subject to regular third-party audits to confirm compliance.”
The spokesperson did not answer any of the publication’s questions on whether Benham had profited on bets placed in his own name or whether this would comply with the FA’s rules and regulations.
Following these revelations, there are now calls on the FA to reveal the full details of its deals with club owners regarding betting or their ownership of football clubs and gambling companies.
The FA has indicated that only “stakeholders”, such as leagues and clubs, can see the document in full.
This investigation comes after several profile rulings from the FA regarding betting breaches by several high-profile players in the Premier League.
Brentford striker Ivan Toney is currently serving an eight-month ban from all football activity after being found guilty of 232 betting offences in May.
Nottingham Forest defender Harry Toffolo was recently issued with a five-month suspended ban and a £20,956.22 after admitting to breaching betting rules 375 times.